At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice on construction projects and support land acquisitions.
- Company: Join Dandara, a leading UK property developer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Enjoy genuine responsibility and excellent mentoring in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Work on high-profile developments and grow your in-house legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with around 2 years' PQE in construction law.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Join one of the UK's leading property developers
Are you a Construction Solicitor looking to move in-house or continue developing your career within a commercial, fast-paced environment?
At Dandara, we're looking for a talented solicitor with around two years' post-qualification experience to join our growing Legal team. This is an outstanding opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of residential and build to rent developments across the UK.
Working alongside an experienced Head of Legal and an established in-house legal team, you'll become a trusted legal adviser to the business, supporting projects from land acquisition through to construction and completion.
If you're looking for genuine responsibility, excellent mentoring and exposure to high-quality development work without the pressures of private practice billing targets, we'd love to hear from you.
What you'll be doing
You’ll provide commercially focused legal advice across a wide range of construction and development matters, supporting colleagues across Construction, Commercial, Technical, Land, Sales and Operations.
Your work will include:
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction documentation including:
- Building contracts
- Consultant appointments
- Collateral warranties
- Parent company guarantees
- Performance bonds
- Novation agreements
- Deeds of variation and assignment
- Letters of reliance
- Related construction and development documentation
- Advising project teams on legal and commercial risks associated with live developments.
- Supporting land acquisitions and disposals by reviewing construction documentation and responding to legal enquiries.
- Working closely with external solicitors on specialist construction matters.
- Assisting with affordable housing, infrastructure and wider development arrangements where construction issues arise.
- Helping to improve legal templates, processes and guidance across the business.
- Providing practical legal advice that enables projects to progress efficiently while managing risk.
- Keeping up to date with changes in construction law and building safety legislation.
What we're looking for
We're looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, solving problems and becoming part of the commercial decision‑making process.
You'll ideally have:
- Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales.
- Around 2 years' PQE (applications from those with slightly more or less experience are welcomed).
- Experience in construction law gained within private practice or an in‑house legal team.
- Experience drafting and negotiating construction documentation.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to explain complex legal issues in a practical way.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
It would be great if you also have
- Experience acting for developers, housebuilders or contractors.
- Knowledge of JCT contracts and associated construction documentation.
- Experience supporting residential development projects.
- Exposure to construction due diligence on acquisitions and disposals.
- Previous in‑house experience or a genuine desire to move in‑house.
- An understanding of building safety legislation and development delivery.
Why Dandara?
Dandara is one of the UK's most respected independent property developers, delivering high‑quality homes, Build to Rent communities and regeneration projects across the UK.
Joining our Legal team means you'll:
- Work on high‑profile, complex residential developments.
- Enjoy genuine variety across construction, development and commercial legal work.
- Be supported by experienced in‑house lawyers committed to your development.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the business.
- Develop a long‑term in‑house legal career with excellent progression opportunities.
- Enjoy a collaborative culture where legal is seen as a valued commercial partner.
What we offer
In return, we offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Competitive salary per annum depending on experience
- Discretionary bonus
- 33 days' holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Health Hero digital GP and Health Assured Wisdom App
- Competitive parental leave
- 3x salary life assurance (option to increase to 4x)
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Employer‑matched pension up to 5%
- Flexible benefits including shopping vouchers, airport parking, and reduced gym memberships
Ready to build your career with Dandara?
If you're looking for an opportunity to work on exciting residential developments while developing your career within a highly regarded in‑house legal team, we'd love to hear from you.
Construction Solicitor in Milton Keynes employer: Dandara Living
Dandara Living is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a structured training programme tailored for aspiring professionals in the housebuilding sector. Located in the vibrant city of Milton Keynes, our work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. With a focus on hands-on experience in procurement and cost management, this role not only provides a solid foundation for your career but also opens doors to future opportunities within the company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Construction Solicitor in Milton Keynes
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Dandara Living, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Construction Solicitor at Dandara Living.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dandara Living
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
